Costs to plow narrow Grand Rapids streets rising

GRAND RAPIDS -- The city was planning on just 10 snowstorms when it hired private contractors to dig out alleys and dead-end streets that are too narrow for its snow plows. But it's 13 and counting, forcing the city to spend more money.

The city pays a pair of contractors a total of $10,500 per storm to dig out 69 linear miles of alleys and dead-end roads, said assistant public works director Darrell VanderKooi. Last year, contractors were called out six times.

City Commissioner James Jendrasiak wondered where that money is going. He has received complaints from residents about alleys and dead-ends that go a week without getting plowed, he said.